Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte praised and thanked the department’s officials who, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfilled their mandate to the Filipino children.

In today’s ceremonial turn-over dubbed as “Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay,” Duterte underscored outgoing Education Secretary Leonor Briones’ dedication to government service and the entire DepEd workforce’s innovations especially in hurdling the effects of the pandemic in pursuit of its call that education must continue.

“Headed by Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, DepEd adapted and implemented bold but necessary measures to provide Filipino children accessible and quality education — ensuring that learning is unhampered and our learners are not left out — while also ensuring the economic welfare of our teachers and the non-teaching personnel working under the organization,” the Vice President said in her speech.

“Secretary Liling is a force. And I am humbled and honored to follow in the footsteps of a much-admired academic, public servant, social activist, and change-maker,” she said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the equally devoted men and women, our undersecretaries and assistant secretaries who supported Ma’am Liling in the last six years. Daghang salamat kaninyo,” she added.

Duterte said Briones showed dedication, commitment, integrity, and selflessness.

“Pinakyaw na yata ito lahat ni Secretary Liling. At nagpapasalamat kami na hindi niya ito ipinagdamot sa ating lahat,” she said.

“Ma’am Liling, you have completed your mission, and we are all here today to celebrate the victories that you and the entire Department of Education have collected over the past six years under the Duterte administration,” she added.

Duterte said under the leadership of Briones, the department pushed the full implementation of the Senior High School program “that eventually allowed parents and students to see its significance in providing our graduates with the necessary skills relevant to today’s dynamic workforce.”

OVP MEDIA